Ulster Rugby vs Treviso

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME | PRICE £3.00

RUGBY VS BENETTON TREVISO Friday 13th February 2015 - Kingspan Stadium - Kick Off 19.35

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Good evening and welcome to another exciting Friday evening at Kingspan Stadium. Ulster take on Treviso tonight and with Ulster sitting in 5th place in the Guinness PRO12 table and only 5 points behind the leaders it’s all to play for! We extend a warm welcome to all the Treviso fans that have travelled here to support their team and look forward to some top class rugby between the two sides. Kingspan Stadium is once again a fortress and it is where Ulster plays best thanks to the energy and support of the home fans. This season marks the 18th year of our proud association with Ulster Rugby and we remain committed to the team. At Bank of Ireland we stand together with the fans, sharing their passion and together we are all the driving force behind our Ulster Rugby team. Good Luck Ulster!

Sean Sheehan // Regional Director, NI Consumer and Small Business Bank of Ireland

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

IRFU ULSTER BRANCH

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

OFFICERS John Kinnear // President Bobby Stewart // Senior Vice President John McKibbin // Junior Vice President John McKibbin // Honorary Secretary Michael Boyd // Honorary Treasurer Denis Gardiner // Competitions Secretary EXECUTIVE TEAM Shane Logan // Chief Executive Chris Webster // Domestic Rugby Manager Audrey Robinson // Financial Controller Fiona Hampton // Head of Sales & Marketing

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here to Kingspan Stadium for this Guinness PRO12 match against Benetton Treviso.

I would particularly like to welcome the committee members, players and supporters from Italy. You are all very welcome in Belfast. Our previous encounter against Treviso last month was a closely fought encounter. Ulster took a commanding lead into the break but the home side came back strongly in the second period and we did well to hold on to get the victory. That match showed how competitive our league is and Ulster will need to produce all of the battling qualities that they displayed in Northern Italy if they are to get the victory here tonight. It is just under three weeks since Ulster were last in action. The bonus point victory over Leicester Tiger was a strong finish to a disappointing European campaign. Much has been made of the injuries that we have suffered this season. That game showed that with players like Iain Henderson back in the starting XV we are more than a force to be reckoned with. That is exciting as it has been announced that the Guinness PRO12 Final will be staged at Kingspan Stadium this season. Huge credit must go to the team at Ulster Rugby who submitted a successful bid to host the game. Regardless of who is in it the match, the game will be a wonderful spectacle. However, our players now have a huge incentive for the rest of

the season as they know that they could play in a Guinness PRO12 final at home. On the international front the Ireland side started their defence of the RBS 6 Nations last weekend with a good win in Italy. Congratulations to Rory Best, Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne and Iain Henderson on the victory. Good luck to Joe Schmidt and all his players against France at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow. A win over ‘Les Bleus’ would be fantastic and would put Ireland in a very strong position going into the rest of the Championship. Finally, the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup has thrown up some exciting quarter-final fixtures. RBAI will play Royal School Armagh, Coleraine Inst. take on Omagh Academy, Ballyclare HS host Wallace HS, while arguably the tie of the round sees Methodist College travel across Belfast to take on Campbell College. If you are free next Saturday I would encourage you to attend one of these schools games and to witness the passion and pride that these talented young players have in representing their schools. Good luck to everyone involved. As always thank you for you support and Stand up for the Ulstermen. Yours in Rugby John Kinnear // President IRFU (Ulster Branch)

Kingspan Stadium, 85 Ravenhill Park, Belfast, BT6 0DG T // +44 (0)28 9049 3222 ulsterrugby.com

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ULSTER RUGBY

Chief Executive’s

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome back to Round 14 of the Guinness PRO12 !

There’s a feast of rugby this weekend which we hope you enjoy ! We wish all our Unions and our players the very best for the RBS 6 Nations in the coming weeks. Today, it really is Guinness PRO12 business for all 12 of our clubs as they are looking at moving up the ladder to be in the top four, for a chance to compete in the Play-Offs and Final of our competition next May and also to seek European Champions Cup qualification for next season. We are delighted with the response to the Board’s decision to pre-determine this year’s Final here at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast on Saturday May 30th 2015 at 6.30pm. Tickets are selling extremely well and we would encourage fans of all 12 clubs to purchase their tickets for what promises to be a fantastic rugby weekend and occasion for the Guinness PRO12 here in Belfast. After Round 13, there were only 5 points between our top 5 teams but, in fact, little separates many of the teams in the Guinness PRO12. Despite the seasonal weather there are 4 tries scored per match on average and we crossed the 3,000 point mark in Round 13, so lots of good entertainment ! I would like to pay tribute to the work of the match officials this season and wish them all the very best for these Round 14 fixtures and the rest of the season. Finally and most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of all our clubs, partners, all our broadcasters & media and you the supporters, who ensure all 12 clubs and the competition have fantastic support throughout the season.

Enjoy the game and I hope everyone revels in a great rugby weekend !

PRO12RUGBY.COM

TONIGHT’S MASCOTS

MASCOTS

JJ KINNEAR (8) JJ is from London and attends Hurlingham School; he plays mini rugby at school and also at Wimbledon RFC. JJ’s other interests are football, cricket, gymnastics, karate, Jiu Jitsu, swimming and CrossFit. His favourite player is Andrew Trimble because he is fast, strong and always gives 100%.

DANIEL HENRY (8) Daniel is from Belfast and attends Orangefield Primary School. He plays mini rugby at Malone RFC and also enjoys cricket, swimming, going to Cubs and playing golf. His favourite player is Andrew Trimble because he is a great player and scores lots of tries.

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ULSTER RUGBY

CRAIG GILROY

“I WANT TO BE THE BEST PLAYER THAT I CAN BE. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO PLAY FOR ULSTER AND I WANT TO PLAY FOR IRELAND”. CRAIG GILROY

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ULSTERRUGBY

www.ulsterrugby.com

One hundred appearances for Ulster, 25 tries for his province, six Ireland caps… all achieved at just 23 years of age. RECORD BREAKING 100 FOR CRAIG GILROY

rugby. He says that he has learned as much from the bad times as he has from the good: “Last season was the first time that I had experienced injury. Up until then it was all flowing. It’s all a massive learning curve. Each game is a new experience. I am very different now to when I played my first game. I don’t get really nervous. I get good nerves but I don’t get uptight. You just have to remember to relax and to stay calm out on the field. Those are the games that I have played best in when I have been fully focused and I have backed myself. That is what I have learned.” Like all milestones, winning his 100th cap gives the Ulster and Ireland player a chance to reflect on what he has achieved so far and gives him the opportunity to set his goals for the future: “I never thought that I would make 100 appearances for Ulster. If someone had said that to me when I was back in school, I would have thought that they were crazy! I am still only 23 – a lot of guys have made their 100th in their late 20s but they rack up quickly. “I want to be the best player that I can be. I want to continue to play for Ulster and I want to play for Ireland. I am aiming to keep learning and to keeping working hard and I want to score tries because that is what I enjoy doing most. “I still hopefully have 10 or 11 years left - I still can’t believe that I am already on my 100th cap.” A fantastic achievement and hopefully we will see Craig Gilroy in an Ulster shirt for many more years to come.

It has been a remarkable career so far for Craig Gilroy who tonight becomes the youngest player in the history of Ulster Rugby to make it to a century of Ulster caps. No-one who watched his debut in November in 2010 however, will be surprised that he has hit such heights, so young. That day, he scored two brilliant tries and it is an occasion that still stands out for the Ulster and Ireland winger: “I still remember it really well,” Craig says. “It was played in Cardiff City’s football ground. It was pretty crazy, I scored two tries and it all happened really quickly. Looking back I can’t believe that I am making my 100th appearance as that game seems like it was only yesterday.” Having made his Ulster debut, he has gone on to score important tries in some of Ulster’s biggest games: He says: “Munster in the 2012 Heineken Cup quarter final was class. Going down there (to Thomond Park) as underdogs, to get on the score-sheet and to win the way we did will always stand out. I got the bonus point try against Aironi a few seasons ago (in December 2011). Stephen Ferris picked me up after I scored. It has been great to play with players like Stevie and it’s hard to believe that he has retired. It was good to touch down in our game against Leicester three weeks ago. One try that was really pleasing was one I scored against Glasgow earlier in the season. I came off the bench – when you come off the bench you always want to make an impact and I was able to do that in that game.” Now in his fifth year, Gilroy has experienced many of the highs and lows of professional

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ULSTER RUGBY

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ULSTER RUGBY COACHING AWARDS 2014-15 DRIVEN BY ULSTERBUS TOURS

THE ULSTER RUGBY COACHING AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES Ulster Rugby is calling on parents, players, schools and clubs across the province to nominate their coach to receive Ulster Rugby’s Coach of the Year Award 2014-15 in this new initiative driven by Ulsterbus Tours.

ULSTER RUGBY COACHING AWARDS 2014-15

The Awards aim to recognise the outstanding contribution of rugby coaches throughout the province during the 2014-2015 season and the role they play in encouraging participation, development and excellence. There are four coaching award categories: > Female Rugby > Youth/School & Mini Rugby > Adult Rugby > Disability Tag Rugby The winner from each category will be invited to an exclusive coaching session with the Ulster Rugby squad. One ultimate winner will take away 25 tickets to the Cardiff Blues match at Kingspan Stadium on Friday 27th March, and his/her team will travel in style to the game on the official Ulster Rugby Coach courtesy of Ulsterbus Tours.Entries close on Tuesday 10th

For more information please contact: Brian O’Shaughnessy // Coach Development Officer Ulster Rugby Email brian.oshaughnessy@ulsterrugby.com

visit www.ulsterrugby.com/ coachingawards for more information and to fill out an entry form for your coach!

March, for full terms and conditions please visit www.ulsterrugby.com.

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ULSTER RUGBY

IT’S ALL COMING TO A HEAD

NICKNAME: Gilly FAVOURITE SONG/ARTIST? Biffy Clyro CAN YOU COOK? Yes WHAT’S YOUR SIGNATURE DISH? Steak with sweet chilli noodles LAST BOOK YOU READ? Wolf of Wall Street FAVOURITE TV SHOW? Game of Thrones WHOWOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? Trimby WHO’S THE LAST PERSON YOUWOULD LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A LIFT WITH? Trimby IF YOUWEREN’T PLAYING RUGBY, WHAT 2 MINUTES CRAIG GILROY WITH

IN FOCUS

YOU TEAM

WOULD YOU BE DOING? Looking for other adventures DO YOU HAVE A PET? Yes, dog PET’S NAME? Miley BEST IN TRAINING? Me BEST MATE ON TEAM? One man wolf pack SOFTEST? Kev Geary (S&C Coach) HARDEST? Rory Best / Lewis Stevenson QUICKEST? Me SLOWEST? Trimby FUTURE MANAGER/COACH? Jared Payne or Rory Best

BEST DANCER? Paddy Jackson BEST DRESSER? Me BEST TEAMMATE TO FOLLOWON TWITTER? @cgilroy14

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ULSTER RUGBY

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RUGBY COACHING IN ULSTER

Rugby is flourishing in Ulster with more players, teams, and volunteer’s involved and improvements in facilities and performances evident.

RUGBY COACHING IN ULSTER BY ALISTAIR BROWN

However I’d like you to consider possibly one of the most influential roles in developing the game, that of the COACH. Tonight we are recognising some of the top club and school coaches in Ulster. These coaches have committed themselves to expanding their coaching knowledge and skills through attendance at IRFU Coach Education courses and then applying this knowledge to their own team and coaching environment. As well as giving up their time to attend courses, each coach is required to log a minimum of 60 hours practical coaching, pass the Laws Test, complete Player Welfare certification and demonstrate their ability to plan, deliver and review through observed coaching sessions and other tasks. Derek Suffern, Head Coach of Ballynahinch RFC & Wallace High School, has recently completed his IRFU Stage 5 Coaching Accreditation. Derek has coached various Age Grade Representative teams’ both at provincial and national levels and to achieve this top award he was required to demonstrate a competency in planning, alignment of plans and empowerment underpinned by a greater self-awareness of personality and leadership style.

THE FOUR SUB-SECTIONS OF BEST-PRACTICE COACHING AT THIS LEVEL ARE: PLANNING Operational plans, periodical fitness & conditioning, seasonal plans, game planning based on team profile and planning for specific opposition and long-term development. ALIGNMENT OF PLANS Coaching skills, presentation skills, media skills, time management, match management, match analysis, sports psychology (profiling & mental skills), conflict resolution and selected rugby specific modules. EMPOWERMENT Leadership and high performance coaching. CHARACTER Develop greater self-awareness, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills through personality profiling. COACHING COURSE (LEVEL 3) is the Irish Rugby Football Union’s top coaching award and is for Head Coaches working with advanced adult and representative teams. If you are interested in getting into coaching or would like to know more about the Coaching Pathway in Ulster, please visit: http://www.ulsterrugby.com/ domestic/Development/Coaching For more information please contact: Alistair Brown // Ulster Rugby Coach Development Manager Email Alistair.brown@ulsterrugby.com ENTRY CRITERIA By invitation: The STAGE 5

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ULSTER RUGBY

OFFICIAL CLOTHING PARTNER OF ULSTER RUGBY

COACH RECOGNITION

A HUGE THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND CONTRIBUTION TO COACHING IN ULSTER…

RUGBY COACHING IN ULSTER

PADDY JOHNS Education: Royal School Dungannon, Newcastle University, Dublin University Occupation: Community Dentist Rugby career: Dungannon, Ulster, Ireland Coaching career: Level 2 IRFU Coaching, IRB level 1 strength and conditioning Position: Dungannon RFC Head coach 2012/13; 13/14 CIARAN O’KANE Education: St. Colman’s College Newry, University of Ulster, Jordanstown Occupation: Director of Property Management at Lisney Rugby career: Ciaran played most of his rugby for home club, Portadown, however he also managed to play for Heriots FP in Edinburgh while studying there and also enjoyed a few years playing in AIL 1 with Dungannon before returning home to play at Portadown. He also managed to play for Ulster at U18, U20, U21, A and senior levels as well for Ireland U21s and Irish Colleges. Highlights – Captaining Portadown, winning the All Ireland junior playoffs with Portadown in 2008 and an Ulster Senior Cup with Dungannon in 2007. Coaching career: 1st XV forwards coach at Portadown since retiring from playing in 2010. The club won the Kukri Qualifying League in 2013 and just missed out on promotion back to the All-Ireland League. His eldest son has just started mini rugby and so he tries to help out the P2 coaches whenever possible, given him experience coaching at both ends of club rugby. MICHAEL FERGUSON Education: Sullivan Upper School, University of Ulster, PGCE Physical Education with subsidiary Religious Education, University of Ulster, BSc Honours Degree Sport Studies, NDAI. Occupation: Teacher at Antrim Grammar School for the last three years Rugby career: Ulster Schools, Ulster U19, Ulster U20, Ulster Academy, Irish Schools Medallion shield winner at Sullivan Upper School 2002, Queens’s rugby 1st XV winners of Ulster Senior Cup, AIL 3 league, AIL 3 playoffs and Ulster 7’s champions in 2010. Coaching career: Michael has been coaching at Malone Rugby Football Club for the past two seasons in AIL 1B. He has been Assistant Coach of the Ulster U19 squad for past two seasons, including winning the interprovincial championship in 2013 and runners up in 2014. He previously worked with Ulster U16 schools development squad from 2010-12. KENNETH WRIGHT Education: Royal School Dungannon, Stranmillis College, Queens University Occupation: Primary School Principal Rugby career: RSD, Kings Scholars, Queens University, Dungannon RFC Coaching career: Dungannon U20s; Dungannon mini rugby; Dungannon Senior squad 2012-2014; Assisting with Ulster U16 Schools and Clubs in the summer of 2014

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ULSTER RUGBY

RHINO ARE PROUD TO BE THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE GUINNESS PRO12 2014/15 www.rhinorugby.com

COACH RECOGNITION

GARETH MCCLINTOCK Education: RBAI, followed by BSc Hons Sport and Exercise Science at UUJ, followed by a PGCE in Physical Education Occupation: Head of Boys PE and Rugby at Royal School Dungannon Rugby career: Played on the wing for RBAI 1st XV reaching the final in 2001 where we were defeated 8-6 by MCB. Received the Ireland Scheme Rugby Scholarship to New Zealand in the summer of 2001, where he was able to spend one week alongside the All Blacks Squad and their coaching/ management team at the Adidas Institute of Rugby. Played for Instonians 1st XV until 2012 as winger/fullback, playing in the playoffs and an AIL 3 final at The Aviva Stadium. Played tag rugby for Ulster and Ireland, playing three test matches against the Australian tag rugby touring team. Coaching career: Level 2 (Stage 4) coach. He started coaching at RBAI in 2001 after leaving school with the Year 8s, before following teams through to Medallion level as assistant coach and working with the 1st XV as strength and conditioning coach. As a teacher and 1st XV coach at Carrickfergus Grammar from 2007, he won the Ulster Schools’ Trophy. He was part of the coaching set up for Ulster U17 and U19 development squads. Gareth started teaching and coaching in Royal School Dungannon in 2013, winning the Ulster Schools’ Trophy in his first year and hopes to take teams further in their development. STUART HENNESSY Education: Bangor Grammar School, University of Wales, Bangor. BA Honours Sport, Health and Physical Education, Liverpool John Moores University, PGCE in Secondary Physical Education. Occupation: PE teacher in Loughshore Education Centre, Belfast. Rugby career: Bangor RFC, Liverpool John Moores University, Ballynahinch RFC, Ulster Juniors, Donaghadee RFC where he played until 2013-14 when he retired from playing (again)! Coaching career: Player/coach at Donaghadee - Powerade Town’s Cup finalists 2013-14, Bangor Grammar School, Ulster Rugby Regional Development Squads. He has had various coaching roles at Bangor Grammar School at all levels from Year 8 to 1st XV. His experience there culminated in joining the school on tour to New Zealand in 2009 with a party of 44 pupils. This was a thoroughly enjoyable time and experience working with some talented players whom I am delighted to see still playing and even go on to become professional players (Stuart McCloskey, Ulster).  DAVID BARNETT Education: Strabane Grammar School, University of Ulster (Jordanstown) BSc (Hons) Sport, Exercise and Leisure & Bath Spa University College, PGCE Secondary Physical Education Occupation: Head of Boys’ PE, Foyle College Rugby Career: Strabane Grammar School, Strabane Rugby Club, Oxford Harlequins Coaching Career: Cherwell School, Oxford; Portadown College, Portadown RFC U16; Managed Ulster Schools U17 Development Squad Current Coaching Role - Master in Charge of Rugby, Foyle College, 1st XV Coach, Foyle College.

RUGBY COACHING IN ULSTER

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ULSTER RUGBY

GETTING TO KNOW THE ACADEMY

ACADEMY PROFILE: ALEX THOMPSON

ACADEMY PROFILE: SEAN O’HAGAN

HUGHES INSURANCE ULSTER RUGBY ACADEMY 2014/15

DOB: 21.11.1995 AGE: 18 BORN: Belfast HEIGHT: 201cm WEIGHT: 111kg

DOB: 31.05.1995 AGE: 18 BORN: London HEIGHT: 183cm WEIGHT: 96kg POSITION:

POSITION: Second Row CAPS: Ulster U20 // Ire U19 CLUB: Queen’s University SCHOOL: Methodist College, Belfast UNI: Queen’s University Belfast, Environmental Planning ADMIRE: Paul O’Connell FAVOURITE FOOD: Ice cream PAST TIME: Chilling with friends ULSTER HIGHLIGHT:

Outhalf CAPS: Ire U18 // U19 CLUB : Queen’s University SCHOOL: St. Benedict’s ADMIRE: Brian O’Driscoll FAVOURITE FOOD: Boojum PAST TIME: PS3 ULSTER HIGHLIGHT: Season debut v Exeter INTERESTING FACT: I am a decent golfer TWITTER: @ seanohagan10

Thomond Park 2012 INTERESTING FACT: I race quads TWITTER: @Zander_551

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ULSTER RUGBY

MIKE McCOMISH

There can’t be too many players that have played club rugby one week then faced Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol the next, but that is what happened to Mike McComish in January.

“Going into the game against Toulon I was aware that I had to perform,” says Mike. “It felt like I hadn’t had the opportunity up until then this season, so when I finally got a chance it was really a case of making the most of it. It was nice to go over there and play in a great stadium, on a big occasion and to have played well. Toulon has internationals all the way through to 23, so it was daunting on paper but I think we gave a decent enough account of ourselves.” A strong performance by McComish against Toulon saw him cross the whitewash twice and set up another try for Paddy Jackson… “I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel pressure going into the game, but it was nice to go well especially against that calibre of opposition.” McComish has a long standing association with Ballymena Rugby Club and has played back row for them intermittently over the past few seasons, a position he was fulfilling (as captain) in Dublin in the AIL just one week before travelling to the South of France. “That was pretty surreal to be honest,” says Mike. “I was playing at College Park against Trinity one Saturday and then I was playing at Stade Felix Mayol the next week. However I am extremely thankful to my club Ballymena, they have been a great support to me since I left school and it has been great to get game time with them this year. “Of course there is a little bit of frustration about the extremities of that situation. I am a professional rugby player, that is my occupation and I hadn’t really had an opportunity for Ulster this season until Toulon, but at the same time, rugby is a team game. You have to play with the boundary of the whole squad in mind and it is good that the team went reasonably well in the game in France, albeit the score line wasn’t great.” Back home and Ulster faced Leicester in a game that would also seal the Tigers fate in the European Champions Cup, but McComish put in another sterling performance before injury forced him to leave the pitch. “It was great to get a further opportunity at Kingspan Stadium against Tigers, but unfortunately not long into the second half I got a bit of a knock on the head. I came off and had to do a concussion test. Over the past few weeks I have been going through the return to play protocols and have spent a week on holiday in New York with my wife and little girl.” Fully fit and well rested, Mike returns to the field this week against Treviso, a side which caught Ulster unawares in January when they came back fighting at Stadio Monigo in the second half to bring the score line to within just four points…

“Treviso are like any Italian side, they are committed, destructive, scrappy challengers so we really need to ensure our set piece is good, our scrums are dominant and our lineout goes well. If we can drive the mauls and make them defend for long periods of the game, hopefully that will take its toll in the last half hour in terms of energy levels and hopefully we can capitalise on that and score a few points. “The crowd at home against Leicester Tigers was phenomenal, they definitely helped us to raise the bar, everyone was committed and the Ulster defence was awesome. The crowd play a massive part in spurring us on at Kingspan Stadium. So no doubt we will have that support again this weekend. “I am really looking forward to getting back on the pitch, my job is to play rugby so it will be nice to get some game time especially after the break.” With Kingspan Stadium securing the 2015 Guinness PRO12 Final, there is certainly some added motivation for the Ulster players to finish in the top four… “We try not to think too far ahead but having secured the PRO12 Final is definitely a carrot at the end of the season and the potential of a home final in front of an Ulster dominant crowd would be phenomenal. If we can get ourselves there, home support will play a massive part in the outcome.” Mike is an ex-pupil of schools rugby powerhouse Campbell College, who last week were drawn against reigning Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup champions, Methody in the quarter finals of the competition. With many fond memories of being a young player in that position, McComish advises the players to work hard and take every opportunity that comes their way: “Being a young guy in school playing rugby, the Schools’ Cup is the be-all and end-all. I was lucky enough to win a Schools’ Cup in 1999 and came fairly close the following two years. The competition is great, I was at the Campbell v Sullivan game on Saturday past and it just means so much to the kids involved. The final whistle went and all the school boys ran onto the pitch so it’s good to see that the competition still means as much now as it did in previous years. “The further they go in the competition the more pressure there is, so the players will have to cope with that mentally and take their opportunity in these final stages. Some lads will be in upper sixth and this is their last shot at it and some will be in Fifth Form with a few chances to go. So it is just a matter of making the most of every second and working hard in these last few weeks. Good luck to all those players and teams going into the quarter finals next Saturday – especially Campbell!”

MIKE McCOMISH

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ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

“THE CROWD AT HOME AGAINST LEICESTER TIGERS WAS PHENOMENAL, THEY DEFINITELY HELPED US TO RAISE THE BAR, EVERYONE WAS COMMITTED...” MIKE McCOMISH

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ULSTER RUGBY

MICHAEL ALLEN

RICKY ANDREW

Centre/Wing 28.11.90 183cm 97kg 40 -

Fullback 02.12.89 185cm 87kg 20 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RORY BEST (C)

CALLUM BLACK

TOMMY BOWE Hooker 15.08.82 180cm 110kg 166 79 ULSTER RUBGY POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

Prop 25.02.86 180cm 110kg 76 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

CHARLIE BUTTERWORTH

Wing 22.02.84 191cm 102kg 130 57

POSITION BORN

Back Row - 195cm 115kg 0 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DARREN CAVE

ROBBIE DIACK

Centre 05.04.87 184cm 97kg 151 8 // 11A

Back Row 12.11.85 196cm 109kg 144 2 // 2A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DECLAN FITZPATRICK

CRAIG GILROY

Wing 11.03.91 183cm 90kg 99 6 // 2A

Prop 12.07.83 182cm 118kg 98 7 // 9A

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

MICHAEL HEANEY

IAIN HENDERSON

Scrumhalf 05.11.90 176cm 78kg 29 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 21.02.92 200cm 115kg 41 13 // 3A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

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ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

CHRIS HENRY

WIEHAHN HERBST

Back Row 17.10.84 191cm 105kg 126 16 // 10A

POSITION BORN

Prop 05.07.88 180cm 114kg 16 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

ROB HERRING

IAN HUMPHREYS

Hooker 27.04.90 183cm 103kg 63 1 // 2A

Outhalf 24.04.82 178cm 85kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

97 7A

PADDY JACKSON

CONOR JOYCE

Outhalf 05.01.92 179cm 87kg 74 9 // 1A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 05.07.93 192cm 106kg 4 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RICKY LUTTON

LOUIS LUDIK

Prop 26.02.86 183cm 115kg 23 -

POSITION BORN

Fullback 10.08.86 182cm 92kg 16 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

LUKE MARSHALL

PAUL MARSHALL

Centre 03.11.91 181cm 96kg 59 6

POSITION BORN

Scrumhalf 26.07.85 172cm 80kg 140 3 // 2A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART McCLOSKEY

KYLE McCALL

Centre - 195cm 105kg 12 -

POSITION BORN

Hooker 02.01.92 176cm 108kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

25

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ULSTER RUGBY

NEIL McCOMB

MIKE McCOMISH

2nd Row 15.07.83 201cm 120kg 44 -

POSITION BORN

Back Row 07.12.83 190cm 106kg 43 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

SQUAD 2014/15

RUAIDHRI MURPHY

PETER NELSON

Fullback 05.10.92 180cm 84kg 19 -

Prop 05.07.87 187cm 115.5kg 3 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

STUART OLDING

JARED PAYNE

Outhalf 11.03.93 176cm 88kg 35 2

Fullback 13.10.85 186cm 97kg 57 2

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

RUAN PIENAAR

SEAN REIDY

Scrumhalf 10.03.84 187cm 90kg 87 79 (SA)

POSITION BORN

Back Row 10.05.89 180cm 100kg 7 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

BRONSON ROSS

CLIVE ROSS

Prop 16.09.85 183cm 118kg 11 -

Back Row 14.06.89 192cm 104kg 13 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

DAVE RYAN

RORY SCHOLES

Prop

POSITION BORN

Wing 24.04.93 186cm 95kg 5 -

POSITION BORN

183cm 116kg 0 -

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

27

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ULSTER RUGBY

Watchthevideo, guess the locationandyoucouldwinamini break! Can you avoid the dummymove?Watch the video on our Facebook page and see if you can guesswhereNickWilliams is going. Enter onFacebook or Twitter andyou couldwina fabulous 4* weekend break for 2 people to the correct location! Entries close on Sunday 15 February at 10pm– Good Luck!

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JAMES SIMPSON

LEWIS STEVENSON

2nd Row 03.11.90 197cm 115kg 1 -

2nd Row 01.06.84 200cm 116kg

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

74 1A

SQUAD 2014/15

ANDREW TRIMBLE

DAN TUOHY

Wing 20.10.84 187cm 99kg 188 57 // 3A

POSITION BORN

2nd Row 18.06.85 197cm 115kg 119 9 // 4A

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

FRANCO VAN DER MERWE

ANDREW WARWICK

2nd Row 15.03.83 198cm 115kg 17 -

Prop 12.03.91 180cm 111kg 20 -

POSITION BORN

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

NICK WILLIAMS

ROGER WILSON

Back Row 21.09.81 191cm 106kg 173 1 // 11 A

POSITION BORN

Back Row 02.12.83 189cm 122kg 52 -

POSITION BORN

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

HEIGHT WEIGHT ULSTER CAPS INT. CAPS

ULSTER RUGBY SQUAD SEASON 2014/15

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ULSTER RUGBY

ULSTER RUGBY v FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY KICK O

15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

CALLUM BLACK

LOUIS LUDIK

ROB HERRING

CRAIG GILROY

ULSTER RUGBY

WIEHAHN HERBST

DARREN CAVE

LEWIS STEVENSON

LUKE MARSHALL

FRANCO VD MERWE

MICHAEL ALLEN

10

IAIN HUMPHREYS

ROGER WILSON (C)

9

MIKE McCOMISH

RUAN PIENAAR

REPLACEMENTS FROM 16 17 18 19 J ANDREW A WARWICK B ROSS R DIACK 20 21 22 23

8

C ROSS P MARSHALL D MCCLOSKEY P NELSON

NICK WILLIAMS

REFEREE ASSISTANT REFEREE’S CITING COMMISSIONER TMO TODAYS OFFICIALS

IAN DAVIES (WRU, 26TH COMPETITION GAME) NIGEL CORRELL (IRFU) // BRIAN MACNEICE (IRFU) WAYNE SHERIDAN (IRFU) ALAN ROGAN (IRFU)

30

ULSTER RUGBY

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ENETTON TREVISO 015 - KINGSPAN STADIUM F 19.35 1

15 14 13 12 11 10

BENETTON TREVISO

MATTEO ZANUSSO

JAYDEN HAYWARD

2 3 4 5 6 7

DAVIDE GIAZZON

ANGELO ESPOSITO

RUPERT HARDEN

ENRICO BACCHIN

SAM CHRISTIE

ANTONIO PAVANELLO (C)

LUDOVICO NITOGLIA

CORNIEL VAN ZYL

JOE CARLISLE

MEYER SWANEPOEL

9 8

ALBERTO LUCCHESE

DEAN BUDD

REPLACEMENTS FROM A ANAE

N CATTINA A PRATICHETTI J AMBROSINI H SENILOLI

16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23

J NOVAK S MANU T VALLEJOS

MAT LUAMANU

Official sponsor of Ulster Rugby

31

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ULSTER RUGBY

ROMULO ACOSTA

JAMES AMBROSINI

Fly Half 05.06.91 178cm 85kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 01.09.92 183cm 112kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

ENRICO BACCHIN

ALBERT ANAE

Centre 28.11.92 183cm 97kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 21.06.89 185cm 117kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2014/15 MARCO BARBINI

DEAN BUDD

Flanker 31.07.86 196cm 108kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Back Row 16.10.90 191cm 90kg 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

JOE CARLISLE

MICHELE CAMPAGNARO

Fly Half 04.12.87 188cm 93kg —

Centre 13.03.93 183cm 88kg 13

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SAM CHRISTIE

ANGELO ESPOSITO

Centre 26.09.86 180cm 90kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Wing 14.06.93 188cm 90kg 5

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MARCO FUSER

SIMONE FAVARO

Flanker 07.11.88 183cm 103kg 23

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Lock 09.03.91 198cm 115kg 3

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

32

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

DAVIDE GIAZZON

RUPERT HARDEN

Prop 09.05.85 191cm 123kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Hooker 16.01.86 183cm 108kg 20

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2014/15

AMAR KUDIN

JAYDEN HAYWARD

Hooker 09.08.92 180cm 103kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 11.02.87 185cm 95kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MAT LUAMANU

ALBERTO LUCCHESE

No. 8 04.03.88 193cm 127kg —

Scrum Half 28.03.86 175cm 79kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

GIOVANNI MAISTRI

SALESI MANU

Hooker 04.06.92 191cm 107kg —

Prop 26.09.90 185cm 122kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

FRANCESCO MINTO

LUCA MORISI

Flanker 20.05.87 193cm 104kg 12

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 22.02.91 183cm 95kg 10

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

MATTEO MUCCIGNAT

LUDOVICO NITOGLIA

Wing 27.10.83 180cm 85kg 17

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 08.08.85 188cm 129kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

33

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ULSTER RUGBY

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ANTONIO PAVANELLO

JOSE FRANCISCO NOVAK

Lock 13.10.82 196cm 113kg 23

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 27.08.90 183cm 102kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

SQUAD 2014/15

D’ARCY RAE

ANDREA PRATICHETTI

Prop 21.12.94 185cm 120kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Centre 26.11.88 183cm 94kg 1

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

HENRY SENILOLI

SIMONE RAGUSI

Scrum Half 15.06.89 173cm

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Full Back 28.03.92 175cm 86kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

70kg 4 FIJI

RUGGERO TREVISAN

MEYER SWANEPOEL

Full Back 12.03.90 180cm 89kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Flanker 07.05.89 196cm 101kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

CORNELIUS VAN ZYL

TOMAS VALLEJOS CINALLI

Lock 27.01.79 201cm 110kg 8

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Lock 16.10.84 196cm

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

115kg 6 ARG

MATTEO ZANUSSO

ALESSANDRO ZANNI

Flanker 31.01.84 193cm 107kg 87

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

Prop 09.04.93 178cm 119kg —

POSITION BORN HEIGHT WEIGHT HONOURS

35

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ULSTER RUGBY

Suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

Official suppliers of fresh produce to the Ulster Rugby team.

36

ULSTER RUGBY

www. ulster rugby.com

TONIGHT’S OPPOSITION

Three wins in the last five games has reshaped Benetton Treviso’s season…

“Definitely gaining some consistency at the scrum has been crucial for our recent run of form,” admitted Pavanello. “Last year every time we went down for a scrum we were being penalised with the consequence that we would concede points or at least we would be pushed back in our half. Now we are far less under pressure and that helps a lot with giving us pace in attack.” Treviso’s season turned around against Zebre: “Yes, those two wins gave us confidence because we were looking to grab at least one win since the beginning of the season but we kept losing. Winning both the derbies helped a lot mentally,” added the skipper. Benetton have won two of their three home games since the New Year, only losing by a four-point margin against Ulster on January 11th, and that speaks volumes for the importance of playing in front of your own fans in the Guinness PRO12. “Well, you know, when you play at home you get that extra confidence that helps you compete against anyone in this league,” said the 23-cap man. “In the next nine games we will play five times in Monigo and that would be a great opportunity for us to grab some more wins and increase our position in the standings.” Treviso will face Ulster again tonight, then they will fly back home to take on Cardiff Blues before moving to Galway to challenge Connacht. Then Casellato’s men will have to meet with Edinburgh and the Dragons in Stadio Monigo… “We clearly can win some more games,” said Pavanello. “Week after week we are clicking together more and more and that I am sure that will result in more tries.”

The daily workload and the trust in new Head Coach, Umberto Casellato’s style of rugby have pushed the Italian Lions away from the misery of 2014. Treviso have turned the corner and just a few weeks ago nobody would have believed that could happen. The critics have disappeared from the Monigo stands, evaporated like smoke after a Zebre two-game sweep in the double derby and a last-gasp win against Guinness PRO12 leaders Ospreys in Europe. In fact, what Treviso needed was just patience… “We needed time,” said Treviso captain Antonio Pavanello. “Now morale has gone up and our self-belief too. The win against the Ospreys helped us a lot because it gave us evidence that we are heading in the right direction and that our work is paying dividends.” Against the Welsh side, Benetton showed some much-needed improvements in the set piece, an area where Treviso struggled in the first part of the season.

CLUB STATS //Location Treviso, Italy //Founded 1932 //Ground Stadio Comunale di Monigo //Capacity 6,700 //Last Game Zebre (H) 17-15 (W) Saturday 3rd Jan 2015 at 15.00 //Next Game Cardiff Blues (H) Sunday 1st Mar 2015 at 17:15 //Recent Form L L W W L

STAFF // Head Coach Umberto Casellato //Captain Antonio Pavanello

CONTACT Centro Sportivo “La Ghirada” Strada di Nascimben, 1/b 31100 Treviso

Tel +39 0422 324 238 Fax +39 0422 324 326

TICKET OFFICE Tel +39422/324.238

www.benettonrugby.it

BenettonRugby

BenettonRugby

37

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ULSTER RUGBY

ULSTER RUGBY’S OLDEST SUPPORTER BILLY NOBLE

At 106 Billy Noble can look back over many decades of Ulster Rugby and reflect on the many great players the Province has produced and on the great pleasure he has derived from watching a large volume of exciting Ulster matches.

ULSTER’S OLDEST FAN

It is hard to believe that although he attended Belfast Inst he never played rugby there, his first love being football. However shortly after joining the Northern Ireland Civil Service in 1926 he started to play rugby at Civil Service. As a member of one of the lower teams they played a demonstration game against a gather up team from Ballyclare to encourage the setting up of a team in that area and had the distinction of being beaten! Billy’s time at Inst coincided with that of Tom and Frank Hewitt who played for Ulster and Ireland with Frank holding the record as the youngest player ever to be capped for Ireland at 17 years and 5 months, while still at school.* Other brothers, Victor and Hamilton also played for their Province with Victor gaining international caps while Hamilton played soccer for Ireland. George V Stevenson is regarded by Billy as one of Ulster’s and Ireland’s greatest internationals of this period with 42 international caps. In the 1923 England – Ireland match George was one of four of the backline who were from Inst and Ulster and in the Five Nations Championship of 1924 one of 6.* While Ulster has provided a goodly supply of backs to the international side some significant forwards have also been supplied including three captains of the British and Irish Lions namely Sammy Walker, Robin Thompson and Willie John McBride. Billy has appreciated the contributions to Ulster Rugby of forwards like Jimmy Nelson and Syd Millar whose contributions to British and Irish Lions and to the development of rugby have been significant. He is proud of the quality of backs over the years and of course, special mention must be made of the late Jack Kyle a real genius and much respected throughout the rugby world. He was capable of turning a match around with one side- step. Mike Gibson was another top quality player at the highest levels. David Hewitt, son of Tom Hewitt, was like his uncle Frank also a schoolboy international who toured with the British and Irish Lions. He was a dazzling player, very quick, especially over the first 50 yards. Willie John McBride recounts in his book ‘The Story of My Life’ how David Hewitt, when playing in a provincial match in South Africa, went on one of his runs, when nobody was able to put a hand on him, crossed the try line and found his way to the posts blocked by a big forward. He went back into the field of play followed by the opposition player whom he easily side-stepped and touched down between the posts! Years earlier, when playing for Ulster Schools against Leinster Schools at Ravenhill in January 1958, with snow lying on the pitch, the ball was passed to him under his own posts from a scrum. With a few side-steps and dummies he quickly broke through their defence and ran the

length of the pitch to score between their posts, really magnificent. A match that stands out for Billy was Ulster v South Africa in the early fifties when Ulster trailed 3-5 and had pinned down South Africa on their line for the last 10 minutes but just could not cross the line. So near and yet so far. A superb effort by the whole team who deserved to win. Another very memorable occasion at Ravenhill for all loyal Ulster supporters must be the semi-final of the European Cup against Stade Francais when towards the end of the match David Humphreys created the winning try. Obviously winning the final in Dublin was a red letter day for Ulster Rugby and its fans. Billy is looking forward to a repeat performance sometime soon! Over the years Billy has enjoyed many Ulster teams who have achieved many deserved victories. The Ulster Rugby scene and the significant contribution the players have made to Ireland and the British and Ireland Lions is commendable. Ulster has played its part in the development of the game of rugby. In latter years Billy took enormous pleasure from following the fortunes of Ulster on television or listening to Jim Neilly’s radio commentaries. Billy was pleased to see Ulster reach a new high a few years ago when they reached the final of the Heineken Cup and the continued development of new home grown talent to add to the existing pool of quality players from home and abroad is fantastic. He appreciates that the magnificent Kingspan Stadium is a major step forward and that much remains to be done to maintain Ulster Rugby at a level with other top class clubs. Good luck to Ulster this evening and in the future, I am sure there are many more memorable achievements to come! Written by Denis Noble (Son)

*The Royal Belfast Academical Institution – Inst Rugby 1872-2012 by David Haslett

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ULSTER RUGBY